Date of Award
Spring 6-2-2018
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Architecture (MArch)
Department
Architecture
First Advisor
Hansy Better
Second Advisor
Silvia Acosta
Abstract
“African-American architects have been unable to articulate our own truth or vision of the future except as a reflection of the very culture that marginalizes us. We are so spent by trying to get into the system that there is little time remaining to critique the historical condition that make our climb so difficult. Rather than develop a self-defined praxis of architecture that would make a real difference in the lives of our people, we mimic the values and goals that have created our oppression.” - Sharon Sutton
By looking at traditions, art and architecture in the African American community, my goal is to make a case for an African American aesthetic that embraces ambiguity and empowers the community. This thesis will manifest in a public space for activism, healing and uplift.
In the thesis, I look at the church as a site to question Black and White spaces. Does the church adequately accommodate this community that has been historically ignored in architectural design? I also use hair braiding as a muse for creative exploration in space making. The geographic site for the intervention is a suburban neighborhood in Deerfield Beach, Florida that is predominantly Black.
Recommended Citation
Schaller, Christina B., "A third thing : an exploration of black hair in architectural design" (2018). Masters Theses. 316.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/316
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